Looking For ServiceNow Alternatives And Competitors? Here is Everything You Need

Looking for a ServiceNow alternative? Finding the right tools for IT Service Management (ITSM) is rarely a simple decision. ServiceNow is often the first name that comes to mind, thanks to its reputation and extensive feature set. But is it the best fit for every organization?If you’re weighing the options and ServiceNow competitors, it’s worth exploring alternatives that might align better with your specific needs. You'll weigh options according to your budget, the ease of use for your team to adopt it quickly, or its flexibility.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how other ITSM platforms stack up as a ServiceNow alternative. We'll cover features, pricing, and support to help you make an informed decision.

Let's get started!

TL;DR

Looking for a more practical or cost-effective alternative to ServiceNow? Here’s a snapshot:

• InvGate offers strong ITIL support, visual CMDB, and is easy to set up.
• Jira Service Management is a smart pick for DevOps and agile teams.
• ManageEngine includes asset management and works well on-premise.
• SolarWinds is a lightweight option, especially if you're already using their monitoring tools.
• Ivanti combines Service Management with endpoint control.
• BMC Helix fits large enterprises with legacy systems.
• SymphonyAI offers automation and analytics for compliance-heavy industries.

What is ServiceNow?

ServiceNow is a cloud-based platform designed to help organizations manage and optimize various aspects of their operations, primarily focusing on IT Service Management (ITSM) and IT Asset Management (ITAM). Known for its enterprise-grade capabilities, it offers a centralized solution for automating workflows, managing processes, and integrating IT and business functions.

ServiceNow is designed for large-scale operations and is widely adopted across industries such as healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and government. Its tools go beyond IT, enabling Enterprise Service Management (ESM) by extending workflows to HR, customer service, and other business functions.

ServiceNow’s platform operates as a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), allowing organizations to use its out-of-the-box solutions or develop custom applications on the Now Platform. Its architecture is designed to be scalable and supports large enterprises with global operations. However, the implementation process can be complex due to its extensive customization options and integration capabilities.

ServiceNow features

ServiceNow's ITSM suite is a robust solution for managing the end-to-end lifecycle of IT services. It includes:

• Incident, Problem, and Change Management
• Service catalog and request management.
• Knowledge Management.
• Automation and workflows.

ServiceNow pricing

ServiceNow does not publish fixed prices. Instead, they provide custom quotes based on a business value assessment, which considers factors like the number of users, types of products required, level of support needed, and additional features or configurations.

There are other things that can impact the price of the platform:

• Role-based pricing: Different roles within an organization (e.g., fulfillers, approvers) have different pricing tiers. Each user type only pays for the functionalities they need, but it can complicate and increase overall costs.
• Add-ons: Additional features like AI capabilities, advanced analytics, or specialized modules (e.g., DevOps Change & Config) are available as add-ons. They can significantly increase the total cost.
• Bulk discounts: ServiceNow offers discounts for large-scale implementations or long-term commitments.
• Minimum spend: A minimum spend is typically required to initiate a ServiceNow contract.

ServiceNow pros and cons

ServiceNow stands out as a suite of modules with native AI capabilities and a wide array of integrations with other systems and applications. In addition, it's a recognized leader in the ITSM market with a large customer base.

Nonetheless, there's a downside you should be aware of before making a move:

• ServiceNow is known to have expensive licensing and significant add-on expenses.
• Its presence in some emerging markets is limited, with fewer local offices and hosting options.
• It has a steep learning curve and is perceived as a complex tool for new users.
• Depending on the scope, a typical implementation can take several months, particularly for large organizations with intricate workflows.
• It also presents challenges in customizing workflows and processes, as well as difficulties and delays during implementation.

7 ServiceNow Competitors

In this list, you'll find a side-by-side overview of some of the most widely used ServiceNow alternatives. We’ll go over what they’re known for, which features stand out, and what real users have to say.

InvGate Service Management

InvGate Service Management is a modern ITSM solution designed for mid-sized and large organizations that need depth without the complexity. It offers strong Incident, Request, and Change Management, along with visual CMDB and integrated asset tracking. Available in both cloud and on-premise versions, it fits companies with strict compliance or infrastructure requirements.

It's used by teams at NASA, KPMG, Allianz, and Motorola, often as a more practical alternative to ServiceNow. Where ServiceNow can feel overwhelming, InvGate focuses on usability, faster setup, and solid ITIL alignment without the overhead.

InvGate Service Management features

• No-code workflow builder: Easily drag and drop components into workflows to define multiple steps, approvals, and automation rules. Pre-built templates help speed up the process even more.
  
  
• Comprehensive incident, problem, and Change Management with automated routing, escalation, and SLA tracking.
  
  
• Centralized knowledge base, self-service portal, and Virtual Service Agent for Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp, and Slack.
  
  
• Integration with InvGate Asset Management: IT asset discovery, Inventory Management, Software License Management, and more.
  
  
• Advanced automation and AI Hub with 10+ capabilities: Enhanced efficiency through major incident detection, common problem identification, expert collaboration suggestions, smart escalation, predictive risk analysis, automated knowledge article generation, sentiment analysis, and more.

InvGate Service Management pricing details

Transparent pricing based on number of agents.  You can get started with InvGate Service Management for $17 per agent per month. We also offer a free trial, so you can try our software before committing to a plan.

InvGate Service Management user reviews and ratings

Regularly rated highly for usability and support. Frequently chosen for its balance of power and simplicity.

• Gartner Peer Reviews score: 4.6
• G2 score: 4.6/5

"Overall, the experience is excellent. I fell the company takes care of every detail. From the very beginning they provide top-level personalized support and are always willing to help us overcome any issues that arise. I can't imagine working at this company today without their products."

User review from Gartner, IT Coordinator

SolarWinds

SolarWinds offers ITSM capabilities through its Service Desk product, originally known as Samanage. It’s known for integrating well with the broader SolarWinds ecosystem, especially for Asset Management and IT monitoring.

Designed as a cloud-based solution, it supports standard ITIL workflows like incident, problem, and Change Management. It's a simpler alternative to ServiceNow for organizations that already use SolarWinds tools or don’t need heavy customization. The focus is more on operational visibility than enterprise-wide workflow automation.

SolarWinds features

• Incident, Problem, and Change Management.
• Asset discovery and tracking.
• Integrations with monitoring tools.
• Cloud and hybrid deployment options.

SolarWinds pros and cons

+ Good for IT teams using SolarWinds monitoring tools
+ Flexible licensing
– The interface feels dated to some users
– Not ideal for large-scale Service Management needs

SolarWinds pricing details

There are three pricing tiers for SolarWinds Service Desk.

• Essentials: $39 per month / per technician
• Advanced: $79 per month per technician
• Premier: $99 per month / per technician

Pricing may vary by module and usage.

SolarWinds user reviews and ratings

Users like its asset tracking and integration with SolarWinds network tools. Some mention limited reporting compared to competitors.

• Gartner Peer Reviews score: 4.4
• G2 score: 4.3

"I like this platform for our tech support ticketing system in our organization. Easy to use and keep things organized. Streamlines the process and I can follow along with tickets within my team (...)  Some search functions don't bring back relevant keywords I'm looking for in a ticket. Needs better filtering when searching for a ticket."

User review from Gartner, IT Associate

ManageEngine Service Desk Plus

Developed by Zoho, ManageEngine Service Desk Plus provides ITSM capabilities alongside integrated asset and project management. It’s available in both cloud and on-premise versions, making it a fit for organizations with infrastructure constraints.

Known for its cost-effectiveness, it covers most core ITIL functions and appeals to IT teams that want control over configuration. Compared to ServiceNow, it requires less investment and is quicker to roll out, though it may lack the depth needed in large enterprise environments. It’s commonly used in education, healthcare, and public sector organizations.

ManageEngine Service Desk Plus features

• Incident, Problem, and Change Management.
• Built-in CMDB and Asset Management.
• On-premise and cloud options.
• Role-based access and workflows.

ManageEngine pros and cons

+ Competitive pricing.
+ Strong on-premise option.
– Interface can feel cluttered.
– Some users report issues with scalability.

ManageEngine pricing details

Has three pricing tiers:

• Standard plan: $13 per technician per month.
• Professional plan: $27 per technician per month.
• Enterprise plan:  $67 per technician per month. 

Products often have add-on options for extending functionality at a flat rate.

ManageEngine user reviews and ratings

Praised for its value and rich features. Reviews occasionally mention challenges with upgrades and configuration.

“Overall, the software is OK for a service desk or helpdesk tool. It can be very flexible, but requires some coding to really get it working right. Their support team will assist with the coding often times, but they can be difficult to work with. (...) The interface is not as smooth as others I have used, unfortunately.”

User review from Gartner, IT Manager

Ivanti

Ivanti brings together Service Management, endpoint management, and security into one platform. It’s built for IT operations teams that want to connect service delivery with device and vulnerability management. Deployment options include cloud, on-premise, and hybrid, making it adaptable for a range of organizations.

While ServiceNow is often favored for its breadth, Ivanti appeals to teams focused on unified endpoint and service control. It’s used in industries with strict regulatory and compliance needs like healthcare and finance.

Ivanti features

• Unified endpoint and Service Management.
• Self-service portal.
• Built-in asset tracking and discovery.
• Cloud, on-prem, and hybrid deployment.

Ivanti pros and cons

+ Good for managing both IT services and endpoints.
+ Strong automation capabilities.
– The interface may feel dated.
– Support experience varies.

Ivanti pricing details

Pricing available upon request. Typically targeted at mid-sized to large organizations.

Ivanti user reviews and ratings

Users highlight Ivanti’s ability to centralize Service and Asset Management. Some note performance issues and a steep learning curve.

• Gartner Peer Reviews score: 4.3
• G2 score: 3.9

"Out of the box, Ivanti Neurons for ITSM is a good product. But we've found it to be very versatile and highly customizable to our environment. The documentation is somewhat sparse. However, there is a well supported forum and discussion group. Many of our difficult questions were quickly answered in the user forum."

User review from G2, Engineer

Jira Service Management

Built by Atlassian, Jira Service Management connects ITSM with agile and DevOps practices. It’s a popular choice for software teams that already use Jira for development and want to extend its capabilities to support.

The tool supports Change, Incident, and Problem Management, and integrates tightly with Confluence and Bitbucket. Compared to ServiceNow, it’s lighter, more developer-friendly, and faster to get started with—though it may require plugins for full ITIL maturity. It's cloud-first but offers a data center deployment option.

Jira Service Management features

• Request, incident, and change tracking.
• Deep integration with Jira Software and Confluence.
• SLA management and automation.
• Cloud and data center options.

Jira Service Management pros and cons

+ Ideal for DevOps and agile teams.
+ Tight integration with the Atlassian suite.
– Not built originally for ITSM.
– Asset Management requires extra add-ons.

Jira Service Management pricing details

A free plan is available for up to 3 agents. Paid plans start at around $21/agent/month, depending on the number of agents (has bulk discounts). Price scales with advanced features and support tiers; the premium tier is around $50/agent/month.

Jira Service Management user reviews and ratings

Users appreciate the flexibility and integrations but mention limitations for traditional ITSM use unless heavily customized.

• Gartner Peer Reviews score: 4.5
• G2 score: 4.2

"The interface is straightforward, making it simple for everyone to find what they need without getting lost. Setting up workflows and customizations can be time-consuming and sometimes confusing. Sometimes I feel like it requires a developer to do that."

User review from G2, Project administrator

BMC Helix ITSM

BMC Helix is a well-established ITSM suite designed for large enterprises with complex service environments. It supports multi-cloud deployments and includes AI-driven features for automation and prediction.

Organizations with legacy infrastructure often rely on it as an alternative to ServiceNow due to its depth and maturity. The platform is modular and customizable, but can be resource-intensive to implement and maintain. It's often seen in sectors like telecom, finance, and manufacturing.

BMC Helix features

• ITIL-aligned modules.
• AI-powered service desk.
• Support for multi-cloud environments.
• Advanced workflow engine.

BMC Helix pros and cons

+ Built for large enterprises.
+ Deep customization.
– Long implementation cycles.
– UI not as modern as other platforms.

BMC Helix pricing details

Custom pricing depending on modules, users, and deployment model.

BMC Helix user reviews and ratings

Reviews praise its depth and reliability, but they also highlight the complexity of setup and maintenance and its higher price compared to other options.

• Gartner Peer Reviews score: 4.3
• G2 score: 3.7

"We have found a friendly user interface, with simple navigation over the old Remedy style. Very good customer support, and also a good internal knowledge module and client interface. If the product is negotiated outside a bundle of products, the costs can be expensive. We have found some integration issues related to external monitoring software and issue management. Implementation costs can also be quite expensive, depending on the number of desired integrations."

User review from Gartner, SysAdmin

SymphonyAI ITSM

SymphonyAI ITSM offers AI-powered Service Management that combines incident, request, and Asset Management with predictive analytics and automation.

The tool is built for environments that need strict compliance, such as healthcare or financial services. Compared to ServiceNow, SymphonyAI positions itself as more data-driven, with a focus on intelligent recommendations and automation out-of-the-box. It’s usually deployed as a cloud or hybrid solution and integrates with core enterprise systems.

SymphonyAI features

• AI and automation-first ITSM.
• Unified service and Asset Management.
• Analytics and trend prediction.
• Suited for regulated industries.

SymphonyAI pros and cons

+ Strong in automation and analytics
+ Industry-specific solutions available
– Less visibility compared to larger players
– May be more than what small teams need

SymphonyAI pricing details

No public pricing. Quotes are available upon request based on organizational requirements.

SymphonyAI user reviews and ratings

Praised for innovation and analytics tools. Some reviews point to limited community and support documentation.

• Gartner Peer Reviews score: 4.4
• G2 score: 4.6

"Proven product - we have been using it in our PRODUCTION since last 5 years and have never got any broken functionality in ticketing. UI is extremely user-friendly. UI needs an upgrade to be relevant with today's tools. First time implementation can be a little challenging and time-consuming."

User review from G2, Deputy Manager

How to choose a ServiceNow competitor

Start by narrowing down what you actually need from an ITSM tool. ServiceNow covers a wide range of use cases, but not every team needs that level of complexity. If you're mainly handling incidents, requests, and Change Management, you might not need the extra modules that come with a platform built for enterprise-wide workflow automation.

Consider your deployment needs. Cloud-only tools are easier to get up and running. Others offer both cloud and on-premise options, which are useful if you have compliance requirements or infrastructure preferences.

Usability is another key factor. Some alternatives focus on simplifying configuration and daily use, while others require more time and expertise to fully set up. Look at how much internal support you'll need for setup, training, and maintenance.

Finally, compare integration options. Check how easily your ITSM solution can connect with your current tech stack. Choosing a tool that fits your environment saves time and prevents workarounds later.

To structure your evaluation, consider using an ITSM RFP (Request for Proposal). It’s a document that outlines your requirements, helping vendors respond with clear answers on how their solution fits your needs. If you need a starting point, check out this ITSM RFP free template!

In conclusion

When evaluating IT management solutions, it’s essential to consider the specific objectives and requirements of your organization. Assessing the features, capabilities, and methodologies of each platform helps ensure a decision that is well-aligned with your strategic goals.

InvGate provides a flexible, transparent, and user-friendly platform for IT Asset Management (ITAM) and IT Service Management (ITSM), designed to streamline operations without compromising on functionality.

Here’s what sets InvGate apart:

• A simple, intuitive interface minimizes training time and enhances team productivity.
• Transparent pricing structures provide clarity and support effective budget management.
• Personalized support that ensures a smooth implementation process from beginning to end.

If you’ve read this far, you’ve likely gained a solid understanding of how InvGate can meet your IT management needs. Why not explore the platform for yourself and see the benefits firsthand? Request our 30-day free trial or book a meeting with our experts.

Don't miss the opportunity to optimize your IT operations and enhance service delivery!